Stuffing box



A. PRANGER May an, 1938.

STUFFING BOX lnlll'l'l Filed June 4, 1936 Awter PEA/(GEE Patented ,May 31, 1938 PATENT OFFICE STUFFING BOX Albert Pranger, Dallas, T'ex., assignor to The Guiberson Corporation, Dallas, Ten, :1. corporation of Delaware Application June 4, 1936, Serial No. 83,527

Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in stufiing boxes.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved stufiingbox for packing off around a reciprocating rod, such as the polish rod of an oil well.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved stuffing box wherein the packing assembly through which the rod extends is so arranged as to compensate for any deviation of the rod from a vertical line, whereby the packing seal is maintained at all times, and undue wear on the device iseIiminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved stuffing box wherein the packing assembly is mounted to undergo a rocking or lateral movement within the housing, whereby a deviation from the vertical of the rod extending through the packing will move the assembly therewith and thus, the elastic packing within the assembly remains in contact with the rod at all times and maintains its seal, regardless of the position of the rod.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved stuffing box which includes elastic packing which is retained in the housing by a gland, the gland being constructed so as to guide the lateral or rocking movement of the packing assembly, whereby said gland serves a dual purpose and greatly. simplifies the structure.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved stufiing box for the polish rod of an oil well which is so arranged that the rod, as well as the other pumping equipment may be removed from the well without removing the body of the box from the tubing.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved stufiing box for a reciprocating rod of an oil well, the box being so constructed eat the packing of the box may be replaced under pressure.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which an example of the invention is shown, and

wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a stufiing box constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a transverse, vertical sectional view of the same,

Figure 3 is a. diagrammatical view showing the rod passing through the stufilng box in a position off of a vertical line and also showing the movement of the packing assembly of the stufiing box with the rod, and

"Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 and showing a blow-out preventer mounted below the packing assembly of the box, whereby the packing of the box may be replaced under pressure.

In the drawing, the numeral l0 designates an annular base which is provided with an internal annular seat H at approximately mid-height thereof. The bore l2 of the housing above the annular seat II is larger than the portion of the bore l2 below said seat. The bore E2 of the base is internally screw-threaded as is clearly shown in Figure 2, whereby the base may be readily mounted on the upper end of the well tubing A, or other support. The upper end of the base is externally threaded at 13 whereby a.

flanged head M may be screwed onto the base. The head is provided with suitable handles 14' which are located diametrically opposite each other and extend radially from the side of the head.

A flexible ring I5, which may be constructed of rubber, rubber compound, Duprene, or other suitable material rests upon the internal annular shoulder or seat H which is formed within the base iii. A packing housing l6 has its lower end resting upon the flexible ring, whereby said housing is supported within the upper end of the base 10. The exterior diameter of the housing 16 is smaller than the inner diameter of the upper end 12 of the bore of the base, whereby an annular space is provided between the housing and base. The housing is formed with an axial bore I! which bore is reduced at its lower end to form an internal annular shoulder 18 within the housing. An annular lip or flange l9 depends from the housing 46 and this lip surrounds the lower end of the bore of said housing and is adapted to engage within the ring 15, whereby the housing is held in position on said ring.

The reciprocating rod B extends downwardly through an axial opening '20 formed in the head I4 and downwardly through the bore [1 of the packing housing It and also through the base ill and into the tubing A. It is noted that the bore of the base, as well as the reduced portion of the bore of the housing 16, have a greater diameter than the exterior diameter of the rod B, whereby said rod may move laterally within the packinghousing and within the base. For packing on. around the rodB, a metallic packing supporting ring 2I surrounds the rod B and is supported upon the internal shoulder I8 which is formed near the lower end of the packing housing I6. A plurality of elastic packing rings 22 rest upon the metallic ring 2| and surround the rod B, being confined within the housing I6. It is noted that the packing rings 22 are of such size that their inner peripheries snugly engage the outer surface of the rod B.

For retaining the packing rings in position within the housing and in intimate contact with the outer surface of the rod B, a packing gland 23 has its lower end engaged within the upper end of the bore of the housing I6. The packing gland is provided with an axial bore 23 through which the rod B extends. An annular flange 24 is preferably formed integral with the upper end of the packing gland and this flange overhangs the upper end of the housing I6. The upper surface of the packing gland 23 is arcuate or curved as is clearly shown in Figure 2. The underside of the top of the head I4 is provided with a complementary curved surface 25, whereby when the head I4 is screwed onto the base ID, the surface 25 engages the curved top of the gland 23 to hold the gland within the housing I6. With such arrangement, it will be obvious that the head I4, when tightened down upon the base It], will serve to retain the packing gland 23 in position, whereby the packing rings 22 are compressed and held in engagement with the rod B. As the packing wears it will be obvious that it is only necessary to tighten the head I4 further on the base, which will force the gland 23 downwardly within the housing to further compress the packing rings 22. The head I4 may, if desired. be provided with a suitable oil reservoir 26 in its upper end, whereby a suitable lubricant is at all times applied to the exterior surface of the vertically reciprocating rod B.

It has been found in actual practice, that the reciprocating polish rod of an oil well will during its vertical reciprocation, deviate from a true vertical line. This wobbling or lateral movement of the rod will, of course, cause undue wear on the packing rings 22 and the other parts of the stuffing box, unless some provision is made for compensating for such wear. The particular mounting of the packing housing I6 as shown in the drawing, will permit the wobbling of the polish rod during its vertical movement, without breaking the seal formed by the packing rings 22 and also without causing undue wear on the other parts.

In using the device, it will be seen that the parts are assembled as shown in Figure 2 with the packing rings 22 snugly engaging the exterior of the rod B. As the rod reciprocates vertically, it will be obvious that it slides through the packing ring and thus a seal is maintained during the vertical reciprocation of the rod. However, if the rod should deviate from a true vertical line and thereby wobble or move laterally within the base I0, housing I6 and head I4, it will be obvious that due to the mounting of the packing housing I6, said housing will be moved laterally with the rod. The wobbling of the rod B will cause the packing housing I6 to tilt as is shown in Figure 3 and the guiding of the movement of the housing during such tilting, is accomplished through the curved surface of the packing gland 23 riding against the arcuate surface 25 within the head I4. Since the housing I6 is supported upon the flexible ring I5, it will be obvious that the flexible ring will readily permit the tilting of the housing. Therefore, the packing rings 22 carried within the housing I6 remain in contact at all times with the rod B and, therefore, regardless of the lateral movement or wobbling of said rod, the packing seal is maintained. The packing gland 23, not only serves to hold the packing rings 22 within the housing I6, but its curved upper surface serves to guide the housing I6 during its tilting or lateral movement within the base I0. As has been stated, whenever the packing rings 22 wear, it is only necessary to further tighten the head I4 on the base I6 whereby the gland is moved further into the housing I 6.

The simplicity of the invention is a particular feature thereof, because the entire device may be readily assembled or disassembled in a very short time. By removing the head I4 from the base III it is possible to readily remove the packing gland 23 from the upper end of the housing, whereby the packing rings 22 may be readily removed. If desired, the entire housing I6 may be raised from the seat within the base I0. When it is desired to withdraw the rod B from the well tubing it is obvious that said rod may be pulled upwardly through the base I!) after the cap I4 and packing housing I6 have been removed. The bore of the base I0 is sufficiently large to permit the removal of the pumping equipment carried by the lower end of the rod B through the base without removing said base from the tubing A. It is pointed out that the packing housing I6 together with the packing rings and gland 23 are a single unit and may be removed or replaced in the base I0 bodily.

In some cases, it might be desirable to repack the housing I6 with new packing rings 22 after the previous packing rings have become worn, under pressure. In such case, a structure such as is shown in Figure 4} would be found adaptable. In this form a lower packing chamber 30 is provided in the base I6 below the seat I I on which the flexible ring I rests. A split elastic packing member 3| is slidable laterally within the chamber 36, and this member is formed of two halves each of which are semi-circular in cross-section. For moving each section of the packing member 3| into engagement with the reciprocating rod B extending through the device, each section is provided with a follow block 32 which block is fastened to an adjusting screw 33. The screw 33 is threaded through the gland 34 of a packing device 35 which is located in the wall of the base I6. It will be obvious by observing Figure 4 that by rotating the screw 33 the section of the packing member 3I may be moved inwardly towards or outwardly away from the reciprocating rod B.

Ordinarily, the packing member 3| is retracted in the chamber 36 so that the member is not in engagement with the rod B. However, when it is desired to repack the housing I6 under pressure, it is only necessary to rotate the adjusting screws 33, whereby the packing members 3! are moved into engagement with the rod B. The packing member engaging said rod will, of course, form a fluid-tight seal, whereby it is possible to remove the packing rings 22 from the housing I6 and replace the same with new rings, without any loss of pressure. It is noted that it is entirely optional whether or not the packing members 3| which permit repacking the housing I6 under pressure, is used.

In the claims whenever the word head is used it is intended to mean the parts rigidly secured to the tubing, such as the head I4 or the head I4 and the base. I0.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A stufling box including, a head through which a reciprocating rod extends, a housing within the head and mounted to undergo a rocking movement relative to the head, an elastic packing within the housing and engaging the rod to pack oiT therearound, and a packing gland, said gland being held in engagement with said packing by means of said head.

2. A stuffing box including, a head through which a reciprocating rod extends, a housing mounted within the head and adapted to undergo a tilting movement relative to the head, elastic packing within the housing and engaging the rod to pack off therearound, means. for guiding the housing in its movement, and a packing gland engaging said head and packing.

3. A stuffing box including, a head through which a reciprocating element extends, a housing mounted to undergo a tilting movement within the head, elastic packing within the housing and engaging said element, means for retaining said packing in the housing, and means co-acting with the last named means for guiding the hous ing in its movement within the head.

i. A stuiilng box for a reciprocating element including, a head having an arcuate retaining surface through which the element extends, a housing mounted to undergo a tilting movement within said head, elastic packing within the housing and engaging the reciprocating element, and a packing gland having an arcuate surface contacting said arcuate surface of the head for re taining the housing within said head, said packing gland engaging the packing and being held in engagement therewith by said head.

5. Astufling box for a reciprocating element including, a head through which the element extends, a housing mounted to undergo a tilting movement within said head, elastic packing within the housing and engaging the reciprocating element, means within the upper end of the housing for retaining the packing within the housing, and a closure secured to the head and co-acting with the retaining means for guiding the housing in its movement.

6. A stufling box including, an annular head having an internal shoulder therein, a flexible ring on said shoulder, a housing wholly within said head having an axial bore, said housing being mounted on said ring whereby the housing may tilt within the head, a rod extending vertically through the housing and head, an elastic packing within the housing and engaging the rod,

and a packing gland, said gland being held in engagement with said packing by said head.

'7. A stuffing box including, an annular head having an internal shoulder therein, a flexible ring on said shoulder, a housing wholly within said head and having an axial bore, said housing being mounted on said ring whereby the housing may tilt within the head, a rod extending vertically through the housing and head, elastic packing within the housing and engaging the rod, and a packing gland held in packing position by said head and within the upper end of the housing for retaining the packing within the housing.

8. A stufiing box including, an annular head having an internal shoulder therein, a flexible ring on said shoulder, a housing having an axial bore mounted on said ring whereby the housing may tilt within the head, a rod extending vertically through the housing and head, elastic packing within the housing and engaging the rod, a packing gland within the upper end of the housing for retaining the packing within the housing, and means forming a part of the head and coacting with the packing gland to guide the housing in its movement.

9. A stuffing box including, an annular head having an internal shoulder therein, a flexible ring on said shoulder, a housing having an axial bore mounted on said ring whereby the housing may tilt within the head, a rod extending vertically through the housing and head, elastic packing within the housing and engaging the rod, a packing gland within the upper end of the housing for retaining the packing within the housing, and a flanged member forming a part of the head and engaging the packing gland to hold the same within the housing, the member and gland coacting to guide the housing in its tilting movement.

10. A stuffing box including, an annular head having an internal shoulder therein, a flexible ring on said shoulder, a housing having an axial bore mounted on said ring whereby the housing may tilt within the head, a rod extending vertically through the housing and head, elastic packing within the housing and engaging the rod, a packing gland within the upper end of the housing for retaining the packing within the housing, the packing gland having a curved top, and a flanged member forming part of the head and having the underside thereof curved to engage the curved top of the gland; whereby the head holds the gland in position within the housing and also co-acts therewith to guide the housing in its tilting movement.

ALBERT PRANGER. 

